Metabolic
MQ-NAD-C
Compounded metabolic trio combining NAD+ replenishment, NNMT inhibition and mitochondrial peptide signalling.
- Half-life
- NAD+: minutes. 5-amino-1MQ: not well characterised. MOTS-c: estimated hours.
- Route
- Subcutaneous (compounded), intravenous (NAD+ component sometimes separate)
Overview
MQ-NAD-C is a practitioner-compounded combination of three distinct metabolic agents: NAD+ (nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide), 5-amino-1MQ (an NNMT inhibitor) and MOTS-c (a mitochondrial-derived peptide). Each component targets a different node of cellular energy metabolism, creating a synergistic approach to NAD+ pool maintenance, methylation balance and mitochondrial function.
Mechanism of action
NAD+ serves as the essential coenzyme for sirtuins and PARPs, directly fueling cellular redox reactions. 5-amino-1MQ blocks nicotinamide N-methyltransferase (NNMT), the enzyme that depletes methyl groups and degrades nicotinamide, thereby preserving NAD+ precursors and supporting methylation capacity. MOTS-c translocates to the nucleus under metabolic stress, activating AMPK and upregulating genes involved in glucose handling and antioxidant defence.
Evidence base
No clinical trials exist for the fixed combination. Individual components have independent evidence: NAD+ precursors show metabolic and vascular benefits in human trials; 5-amino-1MQ is supported by preclinical NNMT-inhibition literature for adipose metabolism; MOTS-c has mouse data for insulin sensitivity and exercise capacity. Human safety of the combined formulation is unstudied.
Typical dosing
Research protocols commonly cite 50–100 mg NAD+, 5–10 mg 5-amino-1MQ and 5–10 mg MOTS-c combined in a single subcutaneous injection, 2–3 times weekly for 8–12 week cycles. Some practitioners split NAD+ into a separate intravenous or intramuscular dose. Open the dose calculator →
Safety & contraindications
NAD+ can cause flushing and nausea at higher doses. 5-amino-1MQ has limited human safety data; methylation status should be monitored. MOTS-c safety is supported by animal studies but human data are sparse. Not FDA-approved as a combination or individually for these indications.
Common stacks
Often paired with resveratrol or other sirtuin activators, and with methyl-donor support (methyl-B12, SAMe) given the NNMT inhibition.
Related peptides
Educational reference only. Nothing on this page is medical advice, a prescription, or an offer to sell. Discuss any peptide therapy with a qualified clinician who can evaluate your history and monitoring needs.